Saturday, August 6, 2016

9. MEETING THE AUTOBOTS 2

Optimus Prime: “What is it, Ratchet?”

Ratchet: “Green Lantern[3] of L4B1 says the Insecticons and Stunticons[4] have come in their numbers and are forcing their way into the base.”

Optimus Prime: “So that’s what the Decepticons had been planning all along. Sorry children; we’ll have to put this race for another day. Gears, call the defenders to back up Iron Man at the gates. Sunstreaker, take a commando with you. Decepticons mustn’t penetrate.”

Another alarm sounded and this one carried news far weightier than the first.

Optimus Prime: “What again? Mirage, report.”

Mirage: “We have an emergency coming from NSF commander. He’ll have to speak with you.”

J’onn J’onzz (on screen): “Prime, the news isn’t good. Megatron[5] finally made his move. He’s carrying out an invasion of Cybertron at this very moment. We just discovered his dome over the planet. It was meticulously shielded so that not even a probe of level 5 could detect it. He succeeded in distorting data for the past twenty hours so he has been there for quite some time now. He has set up machines for extraction and has already amassed considerable energy in hundreds of Energon cubes. Get your men ready and sorry to say this Prime but you’ll have to move right away.”

Optimus Prime: “We’ve been prepared for this; little did we know it would come on two fronts. L4 is presently under assault. The Insecticons and Stunticons have attacked the base and are trying to breach.”

J’onn J’onzz (on screen): “Leave the defence of the base to the commanders and their men. If they only sent the Stunticons and Insecticons, your commanders will know how to keep them away. Prime, I knew Megatron would riposte someday but from what I’m seeing, it’s certain he and the Decepticons are experimenting something despicable. Cybertron harbours a wealth of energy and I imagine the worst if it’s at Megatron’s disposal. You understand only the Autobots are qualified for this mission?”

Optimus Prime: “We’ll be in Cybertron in a few astro-minutes.”

J’onn J’onzz (on screen): “Be prudent and call for reinforcement if you deem it necessary.”

Optimus Prime: “Thanks J’onn. End of transmission.”

Wheeljack: “You spoke a little too fast about the safety of the Earthlings Prime.”

Skyfire: “The Decepticons have begun their game again and I think this one is serious. Doesn’t Megatron ever tire?”

Ironhide: “What I know is that Decepticons are losers and this case won’t be different. We’ll demonstrate to them this time that we’re the strongest and it will cease from Megatron to attack Cybertron again.”

Ratchet: “Megatron should be arrested and confined in the Frightful Forest. That may calm him down for some astro-years, and why not forever?”

Mirage: “I don’t see the ruthless Megatron enlightened but we can still try.”

Jazz gave the signal for the grand assembly and the Autobots gathered in their numbers. They aligned in ranks, one next to the other. Zach, Ryan, Noah and Alan were delighted to see many of them at the same time. Those present were Bluestreak, Brawn, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Gears, Hauler, Hound, Huffer, Ironhide, Jazz, Mirage, Prowl, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack, Windcharger, and the three Dinobots.[6]

Zach: “How could you of all people say that? Al, it’s you who’s always ‘wow’ at anything of this kind.”

Alan: “But it’s Megatron and Skyfire said it was serious. As much as I want to see the Decepticons, I’m afraid the Autobots might find it hard to defeat them, like in the show. The Decepticons used to appear stronger than the Autobots and so far, everything is like in the cartoons.”

Ryan: “What got into you Al? It’s no time to play the scared. The Autobots need your faith, not your fears.”

Ironhide followed the debate of the children and he intruded.

Ironhide: “Alan pal, don’t fear. Decepticons only appear to be stronger but in reality, they’re not since Autobots win in the end. So allow your friends to admire us and when you get back to Earth, tell your people how awesome we are.”

Alan: “Count on me Ironhide. Zach, what was that again?”

Zach: “Yea Al. I want to hear it from you this time. It sounds better when you say it.”

Alan: “Majestic is what was on my mind. Seeing the Autobots like this is like regaling myself with the delicious desserts of Aven.”

Noah: “Alan...? It’s nothing compared.”

Optimus Prime gave these instructions to the Autobots and his colleagues of L4 at the hearing of Green Lantern and commanders of the various units of the base.

Optimus Prime: “Decepticons are up for the unprecedented. Attacking L4 and Cybertron at the same time is nothing amateurish; they planned it scrupulously. We also must respond with utmost diligence.

’These are your tasks Autobots: Grimlock,[7] take the Dinobots and go reinforce Sunstreaker and the teams at the gates with Iron Man; you’re at the forefront. Do everything so that Stunticons and Insecticons don’t enter. Gears, Hound, Huffer: go to Block 11 and be at the disposal of its commanders. Sideswipe and Prowl: be alert to defend the LZone in case Decepticons break in; the enemy mustn’t lay their hands on its constituents. Trailbreaker, Windcharger, Hauler: assist the various teams from other divisions; you’re our joker.

’Mirage, I charge you to take command of this unit while I’m away. Assign the Autobots according to subsequent developments. The remaining Autobots: follow me to Cybertron. We’re rescuing our planet from the hands of Decepticons. These children here are coming with us. They’re our guests and must be protected at all cost.

’I delegate the command of Secret Base L4 North to Green Lantern of L4 Block 1. The rest of the commanders, you follow his instructions. Green Lantern, I don’t have time to assign the various units their tasks. Make sure you position them according to your expertise so that we get no more surprises from the enemy. Robots, machines and men: everyone to work.”

Green Lantern: “Copy that Prime. Mirage, transfer the command line of the base to L4B1. Officers, any development from NSF and all units of combat should be reported to me instantly. I envisage they could attack other parts of the city. We at L4 are NSF’s trump card and we must deploy special units for this eventuality. Commanders, come out with Plan J and report when your commandos are ready.”

Though the atmosphere was tense, the Earthlings couldn’t hold back their joy as they witnessed the transformation of the Autobots before their very eyes. It was total exhilaration to see this mechanical manoeuvre, which turned the giant human robots into different types and shapes of vehicles. They counted themselves lucky to be part of the joint operation of saving L4, Nootra, and Cybertron.

Noah: “This world; it’s a paradise.”

Zach: “Not a paradise; not when villains still lurk around.”

Alan: “Yet what do we expect from a world of comics? How is a cartoon without a villain?”

Noah: “If Nootra can be this great, what more of heaven?”

Ryan: “Heaven is what you make of your world. Nootra without villains acting wickedly and Earth without evil is heaven.”

Noah: “You know what guys, heaven is here and now. The Agape is in me and the Autobots are here. I’m filled with joy unspeakable ’cause I’m with my cartoon heroes and I’m going to see Megatron soon. I know something will happen in this battle that shall change everything. This is history we’re making. I ask for everything to turn out good and for the villains to stop playing wicked.”

Zach: “Now, who’s ready to kick out evil from the villains in Nootra and wipe out evil from Earth and dispense heaven everywhere?”

Autobots (in a chorus): “We, the Autobots, are.”

One behind the other, the Autobots started rolling out towards Skyfire, who had transformed into a large shuttle to take them in. Brawn and Optimus Prime came to pick up the Earthlings and Saiyans.

Brawn: “Are you ready to go to space kids?”

Alan: “All our lives Brawn; though it isn’t new. We’ve become used to it lately.”

Noah: “Optimus, what about Iron Man? He was out there alone.”

Optimus Prime: “Iron Man will be fine. He says he doesn’t want to fight but trust me kid, some action will do him good. Besides, the defenders and other Autobots are with him, but I don’t think he’ll need them.”

Noah, Zach, Ryan and Alan with Trunks and Son Goten rode the Autobots and went aboard Skyfire in the company of Brawn, Bluestreak, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Ironhide, Jazz and Wheeljack. With Optimus Prime as head, this team launched for space. The remaining Autobots and the rest of the agents stayed behind to defend L4 from the Insecticons and Stunticons.

Optimus Prime intended to leave the Earthlings and the two Saiyans as their protectors on an asteroid beyond Nootra’s atmospheric boundaries. He didn’t want his guests to be exposed to battle. It was safer for the children to be neither in Nootra nor in Cybertron given the present situation. Unfortunately, on reaching the asteroid, Skyfire found it impossible to land.

Skyfire: “Prime, we have a problem.”

Optimus Prime: “What type of problem?”

Skyfire: “One with four heads. Come see for yourself.”

The whole crew trembled at the sight of Firelord, Stardust, Nova[8] and Terrax, heralds of the planet eater. These cosmic beings were setting up conduits to extract energy from the asteroid for their master to devour it and drain it of its nutrients.

Optimus Prime: “Let’s proceed to Agnam and there we’ll drop the Saiyans and Earthlings before getting to Cybertron. Skyfire, fly on.”

The crew continued on their journey until Agnam, Cybertron’s largest moon. Situated between planets Nootra and Cybertron, Agnam was the biggest spatial body between the two. Contrary to what had been planned, the whole crew was forced to stop there. This was because the enemy blocked the way and allowed them to go no further. The atmosphere was suddenly filled with the aura of an impending battle, which would be decisive to Cybertron and Nootra.

Wheeljack: “Brawn, get the kids some wings; there’s going to be some action in the air.”

Zach: “Only for Alan and Noah. It’ll be fine with Ryan and me.”

Alan and Noah received anti-gravitational gadgets, which permitted them to move on their own. These were fixed around their wrists and ankles. The four Earthlings also got some minute chips to place in their nostrils to enable them to breathe in outer space. Then the passengers went out of Skyfire, who retransformed from a space shuttle to a human robot. The other Autobots had taken their usual human shapes as well. Optimus Prime turned to one of his peers and gave him an assignment.

Optimus Prime: “Cliffjumper, our guests are under your protection.”

Cliffjumper: “Affirmative Prime. I won’t take my eyes off them; not even for a second.”

Ryan: “Prime, Zach and I want to participate in watching the backs of the heroes. We learnt a lot from our intense training at L4 with the Saiyans, not so Trunks?”

Trunks: “Absolutely Ryan.”

Optimus Prime: “I don’t permit you to endanger yourselves, but look after your two friends if you’re so eager to help. Cliffjumper will protect you four. Now everyone take position and charge at my command.”

The Autobots stood their ground to face off their nemeses of all-time the Decepticons. These were led by Megatron. He was accompanied by three of his peers, namely Starscream, Astrotrain and Soundwave.[9]

[1] Optimus Prime appears in The Transformers franchise. He’s leader of the Autobots, a faction of transforming robots from planet Cybertron. The Transformers (1984) is an animated television series by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions depicting a war among giant robots who transform into vehicles, other objects and animal-like forms. Written and recorded in America, the series was animated in Japan and South Korea. The entire series was based upon the line of transforming toys originally created by Japanese toy manufacturer Takara, developed into the Transformers line by American company Hasbro.

[3] Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern (Alan Scott) was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell and first appeared in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940).

[4] The Insecticons and Stunticons appear in The Transformers storyline. They’re Decepticons. The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the universes of The Transformers.

[5] Megatron appears in The Transformers franchise. He is the primary antagonist and leader of the ‘evil’ faction, the Decepticons, in most of the various Transformers universes.

[6] From Bluestreak to the three Dinobots: all these are Autobots in The Transformers.

[7] Grimlock appears in The Transformers. He’s leader of the Dinobots, a faction of the Autobots.

[8] Firelord was created by Gerry Conway and John Buscema and first appeared in Thor #225 (vol. 1, Jul 1974). Stardust was created by Michael Avon Oeming and Andrea Di Vito and first appeared in Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1 (March 2005). Nova, as Frankie Raye, was created by Roy Thomas and George Pérez and first appeared in Fantastic Four #164 (Nov. 1975). As Nova, he was created by John Byrne and first appeared in Fantastic Four #244 (July 1982). The above are characters appearing in Marvel Comics.

[9] Starscream, Astrotrain and Soundwave are Decepticons appearing in The Transformers.